Things I want to do more of:
- Blog (write). I do recognise that my writing leaves much to be desired, but I do enjoy it. I enjoy penning my thoughts, my woes and chronicling my half-assed interests (cooking/baking, gardening, etc.)
- Give. Being part of the church charity stuff was a good start, but by no means the limit of what I can do. After all, the Lord did bless me with time and (enough) money to do more for the people who are not as priviledged as I am.
- Travel. India next year (please), the place I always wanted to visit. I am sick of waiting on people, this one I'm putting together on my own.
Friday, July 30, 2010
Monday, July 26, 2010
Astrosports is ridiculous
So I've decided to retain my Sports channels subscriptions after the World Cup.
Cannot believe the crap events they are showing the past few days:
- Armwrestling
- Spelling Bee
- Women's soccer
- Futsal
- Bass fishing
- Judo
- Darts (World Darts Championship, no less)
- Pool
I'm not joking, unfortunately.
Like I said, ridiculous.
Cannot believe the crap events they are showing the past few days:
- Armwrestling
- Spelling Bee
- Women's soccer
- Futsal
- Bass fishing
- Judo
- Darts (World Darts Championship, no less)
- Pool
I'm not joking, unfortunately.
Like I said, ridiculous.
Sustenance for One
I probably save the most household money when AK isn't around.
I eat more out of need that full-whetted appetite. But I have found some small, cheap and easy pleasures, food that I can whip up in less than 20 minutes and does not have more than 20 ingredients that I can't pronounce (aka instant noodles).
- Masala omelettes with whole-wheat tortillas
By far my favourite thing to make - cheap, easy and very good. Soften thinly sliced onion in a little oil, letting them get brown at the edges. Stir in curry powder (or half tsp turmeric and one tsp cayenne), add 2 eggs beaten in a bowl with some soy, pepper and sometimes a sliced up chilli if you feel like it. Meanwhile, toast the tortilla. I use my indispensable oven toaster. Once the omelette is done, tumble it onto the tortilla, roll up and eat.
My mum did me the biggest favour when she recommended those premade tortillas. They keep and taste better than bread. But when I ran out I had to find a substitute. And frozen chappatis (almost all good supermarkets stock them in their freezer section). Put a tray in the oven and preheat, then pop in the frozen chapati (do not defrost or let it get even the slightest bit warmer - it'll stick). Oops - before that, I stick my favourite garlic beef sausage into the oven. Then after 10-15 minutes and the sausage is cooked, pop in the chappati (which only takes 3 minutes to reheat). Roll up and savour.
I eat more out of need that full-whetted appetite. But I have found some small, cheap and easy pleasures, food that I can whip up in less than 20 minutes and does not have more than 20 ingredients that I can't pronounce (aka instant noodles).
- Masala omelettes with whole-wheat tortillas
By far my favourite thing to make - cheap, easy and very good. Soften thinly sliced onion in a little oil, letting them get brown at the edges. Stir in curry powder (or half tsp turmeric and one tsp cayenne), add 2 eggs beaten in a bowl with some soy, pepper and sometimes a sliced up chilli if you feel like it. Meanwhile, toast the tortilla. I use my indispensable oven toaster. Once the omelette is done, tumble it onto the tortilla, roll up and eat.
- Sausages with tortilla/chapatis
My mum did me the biggest favour when she recommended those premade tortillas. They keep and taste better than bread. But when I ran out I had to find a substitute. And frozen chappatis (almost all good supermarkets stock them in their freezer section). Put a tray in the oven and preheat, then pop in the frozen chapati (do not defrost or let it get even the slightest bit warmer - it'll stick). Oops - before that, I stick my favourite garlic beef sausage into the oven. Then after 10-15 minutes and the sausage is cooked, pop in the chappati (which only takes 3 minutes to reheat). Roll up and savour.
Gifts to Myself
1) An order with Amazon.com:-
i) Bury Me Standing, by Isabel Fonseca, a book on European gypsies in the modern day.
I've been reading articles on this subject (gypsy culture, habits, discrimination) on Amnesty International, Wikipedia and the like. And I'd like to know a bit more.
ii) The Night Trilogy: Night, Dawn, Day by Elie Wiesel
Well, one thing inevitably leads to another. Inspired by the Say No to Racism banners unfurling during the World Cup, and again, reading about it on the Football Against Racism in Europe (FARE) website, which lead me to read more on Wikipedia on racism in football, and then racism in Europe, and so on.
This book is about a family that survived the Holocaust, and finding hope and peace after.
2) A subscription to TIME magazine.
I've been living out of it for a bit too long. Just because I don't mix with enough people to talk about current affairs (out of my own anti-socialness and nothing else, mind you) that does not make not bothering an excuse. This was the reason I was not psyched by the World Cup. Being tucked away in Miri means having to put in more effort to understand (and get fascinated by) the world around me.
3) Tickets back to KL during the upcoming (short) Merdeka holiday. Always worth the money, no matter how much I end up spending, it seems.
i) Bury Me Standing, by Isabel Fonseca, a book on European gypsies in the modern day.
I've been reading articles on this subject (gypsy culture, habits, discrimination) on Amnesty International, Wikipedia and the like. And I'd like to know a bit more.
ii) The Night Trilogy: Night, Dawn, Day by Elie Wiesel
Well, one thing inevitably leads to another. Inspired by the Say No to Racism banners unfurling during the World Cup, and again, reading about it on the Football Against Racism in Europe (FARE) website, which lead me to read more on Wikipedia on racism in football, and then racism in Europe, and so on.
This book is about a family that survived the Holocaust, and finding hope and peace after.
2) A subscription to TIME magazine.
I've been living out of it for a bit too long. Just because I don't mix with enough people to talk about current affairs (out of my own anti-socialness and nothing else, mind you) that does not make not bothering an excuse. This was the reason I was not psyched by the World Cup. Being tucked away in Miri means having to put in more effort to understand (and get fascinated by) the world around me.
3) Tickets back to KL during the upcoming (short) Merdeka holiday. Always worth the money, no matter how much I end up spending, it seems.
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Free Spirited Style
Long cotton dresses, flowy sleeves, hair tumbling down the shoulders..or in messy-chic updo's...I love this free-spirited style.
Vintage or bohemian dresses.
Messy up-do. Wonder if I could carry this off?
Vintage or bohemian dresses.
Messy up-do. Wonder if I could carry this off?
Indian jewellery from Amrita Singh (images are from reebonz.com). Loving this peacock feather Willa bangle.
Shabana earrings.
Dauphine earrings.
Shabana earrings.
Dauphine earrings.
Agawan Blue Lapis earrings.
And for the home:
More from Singapore Home and Decor
And for the home:
Moroccan tiles - in my dream home setup, I still do not know where to put these. Perhaps a bathroom, or a kitchen corner? I love the patterns but do not want a wall covered in them - perhaps a border, or a little corner, or displayed like art, just leaned on the wall.
Mexican fabrics. I love riots of colourful fabrics contrasted against white walls and neutral key furniture pieces - a beige/camel couch accented with beaded turquoise cushions, for example.
More from Singapore Home and Decor
Laura Ashley Aneela Chandelier to elegantly illuminate a living room corner.
Like this Melati hanging chair. I wonder if I could get our local rattan weavers to make me one.
Iris bedding....these remind me of the ones I saw in Chiangmai, the ones the vendors promised me were 100% hand-stitched, but five of them were selling the exact same patterns. I wasn't sold. These are of course a luxe version.
Moving forward - I have in my sights an embroidered British India pouf in turquoise, of which I can't find a picture of...but soon I will.
Friday, July 23, 2010
What I Miss the Most
..............watching the reruns of the World Cup.
.......is my dad in his favourite armchair, laughing at the silly and not so silly antics on and off the field. The crazy fans with tears falling down their cheeks, the English fans dressed like medieval pikemen...those silly Brazillians arguing with the referee.
Miss you papa, wish we lived nearer.
.......is my dad in his favourite armchair, laughing at the silly and not so silly antics on and off the field. The crazy fans with tears falling down their cheeks, the English fans dressed like medieval pikemen...those silly Brazillians arguing with the referee.
Miss you papa, wish we lived nearer.
Friday, July 16, 2010
My Take on the 2010 World Cup
Oh to have been in South Africa!
...........that you need a TEAM to win. Goalkeepers like the Vincent Enyeama of Nigeria and New Zealand's Mark Paston could only do so much to keep the goals out. They made save after save, some the best I have ever seen. But at the end of the day something's gotta give when your teammates keep letting you down. It is eleven vs eleven, and you're only as good as your last man. I mean, that's how Germany demolished the so-called threats of England and Argentina. Come to think of it, the La Furia Roja could take a page or two out of the Germans' book in terms of team cohesion and unselfishness - if Sergio Ramos had passed to one of the four waiting in the penalty box instead of going for goal in the 1-0 loss to Switzerland, and if Pedro had passed to Torres in the match against Germany, scorelines would have been different.
........that some people have gotten too big for their Nike spurs. Case in point Christiano Ronaldo, who spat into media cameras after his team bowed out to Spain in the quarter finals, which is a rather fitting cap to a lackluster, diva-like performance in the tournament. I was truly disgusted by the multiple dives he made, the constant arm-flapping and whining every time a defender so much as touched him. Class-less, this one. What a disgrace to his country and the Captain's Armband.
.......that movie-like beginnings can exist - the first goal from South Africa, scored by Siphiwe Tshabalala, was a scorcher that must have had all of Africa on its feet. What a moment of pride and joy for the continent - the first goal of the tournament and what a goal it was! Magnificient. And of course, the hardest-working, most nimble, most tireless on the field, most humble off the field, Andres Iniesta scoring the final goal of the tournament. And he chose to honour someone else, his fallen teammate Dani Jarque, with his goal. A moment destined to be immortalized.
........that a young team with little expected of them but so much HEART can take you far, beyond the giants England and Argentina. Selfless players giving each other wide berths to score - Mueller to Podolski, Schweinsteiger to Klose and so on and so forth - no wonder that they not only won games, they tore these so-called giants apart. Kudos Joachim Lowe and team!
.........that sport is once again ahead of politics and real world - it's a smack on the face of racism. Look at the German side - Klose and Podolski are of Polish ancestry, Oezil of Turkish parentage, Khadeira of Tunisian....a total of 11 of the players in the final 23-man World Cup Finals roster were actually eligible to play for other countries but were chosen to follow in the footsteps of Franz Beckenbauer and Jürgen Klinsmann to play for this proud footballing nation. When will Malaysia learn????
......that brains and talent triumph over brute strength. Or tiki-taka over anti-football. I'm sure I wasn't the only one who kept groaning at how tiny and skinny the Spaniards looked next to the Butch Dutch. I mean at one point all I could see was Iniesta grappling with a Dutch thigh during the game, and he looked almost invisible from ground level darting in and out of those brutes the penalty area. One commentator described Jesus Navas as "dainty" and he did look as if he could snap into two if John Heitinga or Van Bommel cared to give it a try. But he so dizzily outpaced and outwitted his marker Van Bronckhorst that the Dutch Captain, in his last international match, had to be substituted for someone a bit quicker on his feet. Navas, who surprised some when del Bosque put him in to replace Pedro after 60 minutes, was labelled a "nervous player" by the commentator, who later turned a 180 - "...has really lifted this game", and "...is the coolest player on the field". Such were the words. Carlos Puyol, "absolutely determined", rose above the heads of other people a good foot taller than him to head in the winning goal against Germany. So the La Furia Roja's speed, and seeemingly unreal ability to tap, poke, bounce and dance with the Jabulani won. Skill vs. Strength, Brain vs. Brawn they say in the headlines. I'll add to these - Butterflies Vs. Buffaloes, Grace Vs. Goliaths.
And of course, Jesus Navas's story, of a young Romani overcoming his debilitating mental illness to play on the biggest stage on earth, given his chance by a wise coach who risked bringing him in at such a crucial moment.
...there's a first time for everything. First time Africa hosts it, first time Spain wins it. And who would have predicted North Korea putting a goal past Brazil, or New Zealand being the only unbeaten team of the match with nary a pro player? Or Italy losing out to New Zealand in the Group Rankings?
...........that you need a TEAM to win. Goalkeepers like the Vincent Enyeama of Nigeria and New Zealand's Mark Paston could only do so much to keep the goals out. They made save after save, some the best I have ever seen. But at the end of the day something's gotta give when your teammates keep letting you down. It is eleven vs eleven, and you're only as good as your last man. I mean, that's how Germany demolished the so-called threats of England and Argentina. Come to think of it, the La Furia Roja could take a page or two out of the Germans' book in terms of team cohesion and unselfishness - if Sergio Ramos had passed to one of the four waiting in the penalty box instead of going for goal in the 1-0 loss to Switzerland, and if Pedro had passed to Torres in the match against Germany, scorelines would have been different.
........that some people have gotten too big for their Nike spurs. Case in point Christiano Ronaldo, who spat into media cameras after his team bowed out to Spain in the quarter finals, which is a rather fitting cap to a lackluster, diva-like performance in the tournament. I was truly disgusted by the multiple dives he made, the constant arm-flapping and whining every time a defender so much as touched him. Class-less, this one. What a disgrace to his country and the Captain's Armband.
..........that sometimes you have to trust yourself above all others. Everyone was expecting Vincente del Bosque to field the obviously unfit Fernando Torres during the final game at some point, but he obviously knew what he was doing and chose to send out Jesus Navas and Cesc Fabregas first. And both contributed to the uprising of the Spanish team late in the game. Maradona did nothing except put his head in his hands and finger his rosary beads, and Fabio Cappelo (of England) also did nothing (eventhough their teams were only one or two goals down with plenty of time to play still) while both their teams succumbed to the German blitzkrieg.
........that leaders emerge from the fray. I speak of Xavi who got Sergio Ramos away from the fray when the latter looked like he was going to get himself a piece of John Heitinga, who had fouled little Iniesta for the umpteenth time. And of course, of Diego Forlan who inspired his underrated Uruguayan team all the way into the semi finals.
........that if you care to look you can see grace and sportsmanship all around. Carlos Puyol making his rounds insisting on shaking hands with the dejected German team after Spain beat them (with Puyol's sole header goal). Wesley Sneidjer picking Iniesta up after a fair tackle on him during the finals, and before that, trying to console Filipe Melo (who frankly I would have kicked) who was rightfully shown the red card after stomping on Arjen Robben during the Netherlands-Brazil quarterfinal. Thomas Mueller, who could have scored when he got away from the Argentinian defence but put his head up, saw his teammate Lukas Podolski unmarked and passed the ball to him, who then scored. It was most fitting that Mueller won the Golden Boot award, with 5 goals and the most assists.
........that if you care to look you can see grace and sportsmanship all around. Carlos Puyol making his rounds insisting on shaking hands with the dejected German team after Spain beat them (with Puyol's sole header goal). Wesley Sneidjer picking Iniesta up after a fair tackle on him during the finals, and before that, trying to console Filipe Melo (who frankly I would have kicked) who was rightfully shown the red card after stomping on Arjen Robben during the Netherlands-Brazil quarterfinal. Thomas Mueller, who could have scored when he got away from the Argentinian defence but put his head up, saw his teammate Lukas Podolski unmarked and passed the ball to him, who then scored. It was most fitting that Mueller won the Golden Boot award, with 5 goals and the most assists.
.......that movie-like beginnings can exist - the first goal from South Africa, scored by Siphiwe Tshabalala, was a scorcher that must have had all of Africa on its feet. What a moment of pride and joy for the continent - the first goal of the tournament and what a goal it was! Magnificient. And of course, the hardest-working, most nimble, most tireless on the field, most humble off the field, Andres Iniesta scoring the final goal of the tournament. And he chose to honour someone else, his fallen teammate Dani Jarque, with his goal. A moment destined to be immortalized.
........that a young team with little expected of them but so much HEART can take you far, beyond the giants England and Argentina. Selfless players giving each other wide berths to score - Mueller to Podolski, Schweinsteiger to Klose and so on and so forth - no wonder that they not only won games, they tore these so-called giants apart. Kudos Joachim Lowe and team!
.........that sport is once again ahead of politics and real world - it's a smack on the face of racism. Look at the German side - Klose and Podolski are of Polish ancestry, Oezil of Turkish parentage, Khadeira of Tunisian....a total of 11 of the players in the final 23-man World Cup Finals roster were actually eligible to play for other countries but were chosen to follow in the footsteps of Franz Beckenbauer and Jürgen Klinsmann to play for this proud footballing nation. When will Malaysia learn????
......that brains and talent triumph over brute strength. Or tiki-taka over anti-football. I'm sure I wasn't the only one who kept groaning at how tiny and skinny the Spaniards looked next to the Butch Dutch. I mean at one point all I could see was Iniesta grappling with a Dutch thigh during the game, and he looked almost invisible from ground level darting in and out of those brutes the penalty area. One commentator described Jesus Navas as "dainty" and he did look as if he could snap into two if John Heitinga or Van Bommel cared to give it a try. But he so dizzily outpaced and outwitted his marker Van Bronckhorst that the Dutch Captain, in his last international match, had to be substituted for someone a bit quicker on his feet. Navas, who surprised some when del Bosque put him in to replace Pedro after 60 minutes, was labelled a "nervous player" by the commentator, who later turned a 180 - "...has really lifted this game", and "...is the coolest player on the field". Such were the words. Carlos Puyol, "absolutely determined", rose above the heads of other people a good foot taller than him to head in the winning goal against Germany. So the La Furia Roja's speed, and seeemingly unreal ability to tap, poke, bounce and dance with the Jabulani won. Skill vs. Strength, Brain vs. Brawn they say in the headlines. I'll add to these - Butterflies Vs. Buffaloes, Grace Vs. Goliaths.
And of course, Jesus Navas's story, of a young Romani overcoming his debilitating mental illness to play on the biggest stage on earth, given his chance by a wise coach who risked bringing him in at such a crucial moment.
Hopefully the best is yet to come from La Roja and my latest crush. IMHO if only they (the team I mean) could shake that flashes of selfishness in some of their players, then they'd really be formidable.
More from La Liga Weekly which I think sums it up:
"Jesus Navas, 24 year old winger from Sevilla, Andalusia, has finally made the call for Spain. La Furia Roja has been on his radar for years now, since becoming a first-choice selection for Joaquin Caparros, Juande Ramos and now Manolo Jimenez.
Through it all the proud Andalusian played his way through a debilitating illness. Homesickness. You laugh, I know, I was there too, but it's more than just a general yearning for home for Navas. These are severe, lengthy panic attacks that hit when he least expects it, causing depression and even seizures, whenever he leaves Seville. He couldn't join La Furia Roja on a tour of the United States because he couldn't even leave the city for a friendly match in a nearby town even.
Therapy has helped. An understanding with Vicente del Bosque and Luis Aragones before him has helped as well, but more than anything the kid is finally at a place that he can play for his country.
We jump at the chance to celebrate players when they do something important on the pitch, let's celebrate when a kid does something important for himself for once."
More from La Liga Weekly which I think sums it up:
"Jesus Navas, 24 year old winger from Sevilla, Andalusia, has finally made the call for Spain. La Furia Roja has been on his radar for years now, since becoming a first-choice selection for Joaquin Caparros, Juande Ramos and now Manolo Jimenez.
Through it all the proud Andalusian played his way through a debilitating illness. Homesickness. You laugh, I know, I was there too, but it's more than just a general yearning for home for Navas. These are severe, lengthy panic attacks that hit when he least expects it, causing depression and even seizures, whenever he leaves Seville. He couldn't join La Furia Roja on a tour of the United States because he couldn't even leave the city for a friendly match in a nearby town even.
Therapy has helped. An understanding with Vicente del Bosque and Luis Aragones before him has helped as well, but more than anything the kid is finally at a place that he can play for his country.
We jump at the chance to celebrate players when they do something important on the pitch, let's celebrate when a kid does something important for himself for once."
Photos from Someone's Journal. I feel you, girl!
The 2010 World Cup has left me with...
Warning: Photo purge ahead :)
An inspiration (Ok, ok, a crush). But it's still some story.
Those are some startlingly beautiful, almost unearthly eyes. Somehow they instantly remind me of what the Targaryen family's eyes would look like. You know - the mythical dynasty from Old Valyria. Just check out The Song of Ice and Fire by George R. R. Martin - only the most heart wrenching, magnificient fantasy series I've come across - as one reviewer put it, the characters in these books would put the Borgias to shame.
Anyway, I digress. :)
Extract from A Different League
La Liga Player Profile- Jesus Navas, Sevilla FC.
The stand-out result from this week’s international friendlies was undoubtedly Spain’s convincing defeat of the French in Paris. First half goals from David Villa and Sergio ramos gave the European champions a comfortable victory, and further underlined their ominous World Cup credentials.
A quick glance at their squad for the game shows an almost unfair number of high class midfield players at their disposal. It could be said that La Roja have more than enough of their fair share of quality in the middle of the park with Xavi, Iniesta, Fabregas, Marcos Senna, Alonso, Silva and Mata, and now, joining this elite cast, is Jesus Navas. The Sevilla winger came on for the second half and was particularly impressive, giving Patrice Evra a torrid time, and looking every part the international class winger he had been earmarked to be many years ago. Despite having clocked up over 200 appearances for the Andalucian club, winning a Copa del Rey and two UEFA Cups, Navas has taken the scenic route towards representing his country. Unfortunately though, it’s a rare aversion to changes of scenery which has stalled the progress of his career up until this point. It is well-known that Navas has suffered from chronic homesickness and nervous anxiety about straying too far away from his beloved home province of Seville. It is a condition which has seen him pull out of various international and club tours and training camps, which seriously hindered his progression as one of Europe’s most promising talents.
Indeed it was a matter which got so bad that Navas announced his retirement from the Spanish set-up before he’d even gained a cap. Despite producing a series of lightning displays for Los Nervionenses, his fragile emotional state out of his comfort zone rendered him untenable for national service, and reportedly cost him a transfer to the Premier League with Chelsea in 2006. At the start of this season Navas indicated a willingness to conquer his fears in aid of resurrecting his International career. Now aged 24, he appears to have matured as a player and a person, and overcome his personal demons which have plagued him ever since he burst through Sevilla’s youth ranks as a nervous child. On the field he has already doubled his previous best goals return by striking ten times so far this term, form which has led to the invite from Vicente Del Bosque to be part of the Spain set-up working towards the World Cup. In truth, had it not been for his homesickness, this call-up could have come any time in the past five years. Sevilla have been a prominent side domestically and abroad, and Navas has been integral to their success. The club, first under Juande Ramos and since under Manolo Jimenez, have taken on a vibrant, attacking theme, with plenty of pace and width and a nose for goals. It is the ideal surroundings for a winger to flourish.
Operating as a genuine right-winger he is a throw-back to the old school, operating with chalk on his boots, he pins his ears back and commits full-backs. There are no airs and graces, nothing overly complicated and flamboyant about Navas’s modus operandi. Countless step-overs, and triple salchows are not part of his repertoire, instead preferring to simply drop the shoulder and dart at his target with pace, conviction and a desire to skin. Up until this season his goals tally was modest – he still averages only one goal in ten – but he makes up for this by supplying a stream of quality crosses for his strikers to feast upon. Year on year Navas is around the top of La Liga’s ‘assist’ charts, and it is no coincidence that Freddi Kanoute and Luis Fabiano have plundered almost 200 goals between them since 2005.
Sevilla and Navas started the 2009/10 season well, winning seven of their first eight games. After this fine start, Navas received the call to join his compatriots for the friendly double-header with Argentina and Austria in November. It was a call Navas now felt comfortable to take, and made his debut with a ten minute cameo against Diego Maradona’s Albiceleste in Madrid, before an impressive second 45 minutes in the 5-1 rout of Austria in Vienna. Small, but positive steps as he looks to secure a place in the final 23 for South Africa. Such is the form of Navas, he is now being linked with moves to Barcelona and Real Madrid. Indeed just this week Sergio Ramos has told the Spanish press that he would prefer to see his Spain team-mate at the Bernabeu, rather than long time Los Meringues target Franck Ribery. That talent has never been in question, the application has.
It is a strange concept to understand that in such a profession, one is limited by such a phobia. Yet it is a testament to Navas’s desire to succeed that he has managed to battle against these fears to, not only continue his career, but to progress to the point he may well be taking part in a huge global tournament, under intense scrutiny, many miles away from the little town of Los Palacios.
Name Jesus Navas
Age 24 (21 November, 1985)
Position Winger
Club level honours UEFA Cup 2006 & 2007, UEFA Super Cup 2006, Copa Del Rey 2006/7, Spanish Supercup 2007
Nationality Spanish
Caps/goals 2/0
...........and he did.
Update: Apparently people are surprised that postcards of him are selling just as well as those of Fernando Torres, Xavi Hernandez and Cesc Fabregas.
Well duh.
However, Navas’ fears over homesickness saw the move cancelled and he remained at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan. For the next two seasons, Navas maintained a consistent threat, with the knowledge that his career could never progress - despite his abilities - hanging over him like the Sword of Damocles.
Talk has surfaced of a move to Real Madrid over the summer, with officials from the capital club having already put the feelers out to Sevilla. The sky is the limit for Navas; it just depends on whether he allows himself to take flight
Photo above from MSN Sports, which incidentally is the source of this little bit (more) trivia as well
An inspiration (Ok, ok, a crush). But it's still some story.
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Those are some startlingly beautiful, almost unearthly eyes. Somehow they instantly remind me of what the Targaryen family's eyes would look like. You know - the mythical dynasty from Old Valyria. Just check out The Song of Ice and Fire by George R. R. Martin - only the most heart wrenching, magnificient fantasy series I've come across - as one reviewer put it, the characters in these books would put the Borgias to shame.
Anyway, I digress. :)
Extract from A Different League
La Liga Player Profile- Jesus Navas, Sevilla FC.
The stand-out result from this week’s international friendlies was undoubtedly Spain’s convincing defeat of the French in Paris. First half goals from David Villa and Sergio ramos gave the European champions a comfortable victory, and further underlined their ominous World Cup credentials.
A quick glance at their squad for the game shows an almost unfair number of high class midfield players at their disposal. It could be said that La Roja have more than enough of their fair share of quality in the middle of the park with Xavi, Iniesta, Fabregas, Marcos Senna, Alonso, Silva and Mata, and now, joining this elite cast, is Jesus Navas. The Sevilla winger came on for the second half and was particularly impressive, giving Patrice Evra a torrid time, and looking every part the international class winger he had been earmarked to be many years ago. Despite having clocked up over 200 appearances for the Andalucian club, winning a Copa del Rey and two UEFA Cups, Navas has taken the scenic route towards representing his country. Unfortunately though, it’s a rare aversion to changes of scenery which has stalled the progress of his career up until this point. It is well-known that Navas has suffered from chronic homesickness and nervous anxiety about straying too far away from his beloved home province of Seville. It is a condition which has seen him pull out of various international and club tours and training camps, which seriously hindered his progression as one of Europe’s most promising talents.
Indeed it was a matter which got so bad that Navas announced his retirement from the Spanish set-up before he’d even gained a cap. Despite producing a series of lightning displays for Los Nervionenses, his fragile emotional state out of his comfort zone rendered him untenable for national service, and reportedly cost him a transfer to the Premier League with Chelsea in 2006. At the start of this season Navas indicated a willingness to conquer his fears in aid of resurrecting his International career. Now aged 24, he appears to have matured as a player and a person, and overcome his personal demons which have plagued him ever since he burst through Sevilla’s youth ranks as a nervous child. On the field he has already doubled his previous best goals return by striking ten times so far this term, form which has led to the invite from Vicente Del Bosque to be part of the Spain set-up working towards the World Cup. In truth, had it not been for his homesickness, this call-up could have come any time in the past five years. Sevilla have been a prominent side domestically and abroad, and Navas has been integral to their success. The club, first under Juande Ramos and since under Manolo Jimenez, have taken on a vibrant, attacking theme, with plenty of pace and width and a nose for goals. It is the ideal surroundings for a winger to flourish.
Operating as a genuine right-winger he is a throw-back to the old school, operating with chalk on his boots, he pins his ears back and commits full-backs. There are no airs and graces, nothing overly complicated and flamboyant about Navas’s modus operandi. Countless step-overs, and triple salchows are not part of his repertoire, instead preferring to simply drop the shoulder and dart at his target with pace, conviction and a desire to skin. Up until this season his goals tally was modest – he still averages only one goal in ten – but he makes up for this by supplying a stream of quality crosses for his strikers to feast upon. Year on year Navas is around the top of La Liga’s ‘assist’ charts, and it is no coincidence that Freddi Kanoute and Luis Fabiano have plundered almost 200 goals between them since 2005.
Sevilla and Navas started the 2009/10 season well, winning seven of their first eight games. After this fine start, Navas received the call to join his compatriots for the friendly double-header with Argentina and Austria in November. It was a call Navas now felt comfortable to take, and made his debut with a ten minute cameo against Diego Maradona’s Albiceleste in Madrid, before an impressive second 45 minutes in the 5-1 rout of Austria in Vienna. Small, but positive steps as he looks to secure a place in the final 23 for South Africa. Such is the form of Navas, he is now being linked with moves to Barcelona and Real Madrid. Indeed just this week Sergio Ramos has told the Spanish press that he would prefer to see his Spain team-mate at the Bernabeu, rather than long time Los Meringues target Franck Ribery. That talent has never been in question, the application has.
It is a strange concept to understand that in such a profession, one is limited by such a phobia. Yet it is a testament to Navas’s desire to succeed that he has managed to battle against these fears to, not only continue his career, but to progress to the point he may well be taking part in a huge global tournament, under intense scrutiny, many miles away from the little town of Los Palacios.
Name Jesus Navas
Age 24 (21 November, 1985)
Position Winger
Club level honours UEFA Cup 2006 & 2007, UEFA Super Cup 2006, Copa Del Rey 2006/7, Spanish Supercup 2007
Nationality Spanish
Caps/goals 2/0
...........and he did.
And I can't resist copying another article, purely for my reading pleasure:
"Sevilla winger Jesus Navas has beaten a crippling anxiety issue to book his place in Spain’s World Cup squad. He deserves it.
."
Photos are from his Facebook fanpage and Someone's Journal, and this site, which has some really funny captions...like the one with Vincente del Bosque "probably instructing him on how to blind the opponent with his beauty". I know I'd be keeling over this one on the field. It's also a good respite from the all serious skills commentary and focuses on what's really important :)
Update: Apparently people are surprised that postcards of him are selling just as well as those of Fernando Torres, Xavi Hernandez and Cesc Fabregas.
Well duh.
Jesus Navas is quite the curious case. A talented, fleet-footed winger who could cause practically any defender in the world problems, but has remained on the fringes of international recognition due to acute anxiety problems caused by homesickness.
Navas has issues just leaving Seville, let alone travelling abroad. His homesickness has caused successions of anxiety attacks upon leaving the city, forcing him to abandon training camps, refuse to be part of pre-season tours and at one point, quit international football altogether.
Cricket fans will be aware of this condition already, as Somerset and England player Marcus Trescothick has been the victim of such a curse. Again, all the ability is there with Navas, but he has been unable for a long time to manage his demons upon leaving his home.
It’s far too easy to write this off as him being a Romany Gypsy. Like Jose Antonio Reyes before him, Sevilla plucked him from the rural areas surrounding Sevilla and brought him into their youth academy. Whilst it’s well known that the gypsy folk are bad travellers, Navas condition goes far beyond simply not wanting to move.
Navas is a graduate of the famed Sevilla academy, which has brought through the likes of Reyes, Diego Capel and the late Antonio Puerta. Having made his debut back in 2004 at the age of 18, he has risen up to become one of the key members of the squad and has attracted a keen following from the big clubs that like to feed off of the Andalusian outfit.
He played a big part in Sevilla’s UEFA Cup triumph in 2005/06, playing in every game and helping to create Enzo Maresca’s first goal of the evening. This form saw him alerted to the attentions of Europe’s elite, with Sevilla actually agreeing a deal to send the winger to Chelsea at the beginning of the following season.
Navas has issues just leaving Seville, let alone travelling abroad. His homesickness has caused successions of anxiety attacks upon leaving the city, forcing him to abandon training camps, refuse to be part of pre-season tours and at one point, quit international football altogether.
Cricket fans will be aware of this condition already, as Somerset and England player Marcus Trescothick has been the victim of such a curse. Again, all the ability is there with Navas, but he has been unable for a long time to manage his demons upon leaving his home.
It’s far too easy to write this off as him being a Romany Gypsy. Like Jose Antonio Reyes before him, Sevilla plucked him from the rural areas surrounding Sevilla and brought him into their youth academy. Whilst it’s well known that the gypsy folk are bad travellers, Navas condition goes far beyond simply not wanting to move.
Navas is a graduate of the famed Sevilla academy, which has brought through the likes of Reyes, Diego Capel and the late Antonio Puerta. Having made his debut back in 2004 at the age of 18, he has risen up to become one of the key members of the squad and has attracted a keen following from the big clubs that like to feed off of the Andalusian outfit.
He played a big part in Sevilla’s UEFA Cup triumph in 2005/06, playing in every game and helping to create Enzo Maresca’s first goal of the evening. This form saw him alerted to the attentions of Europe’s elite, with Sevilla actually agreeing a deal to send the winger to Chelsea at the beginning of the following season.
However, Navas’ fears over homesickness saw the move cancelled and he remained at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan. For the next two seasons, Navas maintained a consistent threat, with the knowledge that his career could never progress - despite his abilities - hanging over him like the Sword of Damocles.
The 2009/10 season saw things start in familiar fashion. Sevilla prepared for a pre-season tour to the United States, with Navas declaring his intention to remain at home. However, in a dramatic twist, Navas produced a u-turn on his decision and travelled in a bid to overcome his homesickness. For too long had it held him back in his career and this marked a change in mentality from the Spaniard.
From then on, his season has gone from strength to strength. He has enjoyed his most productive campaign to date for Sevilla, bagging 12 goals in total (including the match-clinching goal against Atletico Madrid in the Copa Del Rey final), whilst his nine assists in La Liga were only bettered by Barca trio, Xavi, Dani Alves and Lionel Messi.
He has also forced his way back into the Spanish set-up, with Vicente Del Bosque calling Navas into his squad for two friendly matches in November, the first in Madrid and the second all the way into Vienna. Navas stood up to his involvement in these matches and has been named as a member of the final 23 players heading to South Africa this summer. In return, he bagged his first ever international goal to clinch a 1-0 win over South Korea.
Now the big question returns. It is not a case of whether Navas deserves a place in the squad, because that goes without question for a player of his ability. But can he handle being out of Spain for a whole month? Can he adjust to his surroundings in South Africa without suffering anxiety-induced seizures? Will he be able to reproduce the form that got him there under these pressures?
From then on, his season has gone from strength to strength. He has enjoyed his most productive campaign to date for Sevilla, bagging 12 goals in total (including the match-clinching goal against Atletico Madrid in the Copa Del Rey final), whilst his nine assists in La Liga were only bettered by Barca trio, Xavi, Dani Alves and Lionel Messi.
He has also forced his way back into the Spanish set-up, with Vicente Del Bosque calling Navas into his squad for two friendly matches in November, the first in Madrid and the second all the way into Vienna. Navas stood up to his involvement in these matches and has been named as a member of the final 23 players heading to South Africa this summer. In return, he bagged his first ever international goal to clinch a 1-0 win over South Korea.
Now the big question returns. It is not a case of whether Navas deserves a place in the squad, because that goes without question for a player of his ability. But can he handle being out of Spain for a whole month? Can he adjust to his surroundings in South Africa without suffering anxiety-induced seizures? Will he be able to reproduce the form that got him there under these pressures?
Talk has surfaced of a move to Real Madrid over the summer, with officials from the capital club having already put the feelers out to Sevilla. The sky is the limit for Navas; it just depends on whether he allows himself to take flight
Photo above from MSN Sports, which incidentally is the source of this little bit (more) trivia as well
Monday, July 12, 2010
Viva España
"Today beautiful football has won."
As much as I try to remain cool about it, I am (was) emotionally vested in Spain. Seeing these tiny players fouled again and again by the butch Dutch giants was difficult to watch.
Vicente del Bosque's decisions to put in Jesus "sexyeyes" Navaz (mesmerizing - and not just his eyes, mind you) and Cesc Fabregas totally paid off, despite everyone (including the commentator) going "What??"
In fact, after watching the final for the 3rd time, I wonder why Vicente del Bosque didn't place Navas in the starting lineup for this final, and wonder why Iniesta and Xavi kept on trying to drill the ball down the centre line when they could have exploited Van Bronkhorst's lack of pace in the right wing. Jesus Navas ran the Dutch captain ragged down the line and forced the Dutch coach Watshisname to replace him. I think I just found my new schoolgirl crush.
But I can't deny that it was poetic justice that the Man of the Tournament, the low-profile, clean-playing, hardworking Andres Iniesta was the one who scored the winning goal for Espanyol, not any flamboyant David Villa or the selfish Pedro. And he chose to honour one of his fallen teammates when celebrating the goal. It was a joy to watch Spain persisting to play their intricate, attacking style and refusing to bow to the thuggishness of the Dutch, who seemed to think that they could foul and rough their way to the Cup.
Beautiful.
And I can't help it - Thomas Mueller scoring two against the Prima-Maradona's side after being snubbed by the fat idiot during a press conference not so long ago. Now THAT's rubbing it in your face! Germany did light the World Cup on fire with their young, vibrant team that was just a joy to watch (almost) all the time. Kudos.
As much as I try to remain cool about it, I am (was) emotionally vested in Spain. Seeing these tiny players fouled again and again by the butch Dutch giants was difficult to watch.
Vicente del Bosque's decisions to put in Jesus "sexyeyes" Navaz (mesmerizing - and not just his eyes, mind you) and Cesc Fabregas totally paid off, despite everyone (including the commentator) going "What??"
In fact, after watching the final for the 3rd time, I wonder why Vicente del Bosque didn't place Navas in the starting lineup for this final, and wonder why Iniesta and Xavi kept on trying to drill the ball down the centre line when they could have exploited Van Bronkhorst's lack of pace in the right wing. Jesus Navas ran the Dutch captain ragged down the line and forced the Dutch coach Watshisname to replace him. I think I just found my new schoolgirl crush.
But I can't deny that it was poetic justice that the Man of the Tournament, the low-profile, clean-playing, hardworking Andres Iniesta was the one who scored the winning goal for Espanyol, not any flamboyant David Villa or the selfish Pedro. And he chose to honour one of his fallen teammates when celebrating the goal. It was a joy to watch Spain persisting to play their intricate, attacking style and refusing to bow to the thuggishness of the Dutch, who seemed to think that they could foul and rough their way to the Cup.
Beautiful.
And I can't help it - Thomas Mueller scoring two against the Prima-Maradona's side after being snubbed by the fat idiot during a press conference not so long ago. Now THAT's rubbing it in your face! Germany did light the World Cup on fire with their young, vibrant team that was just a joy to watch (almost) all the time. Kudos.
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